WHC_2017

Thank you! Do you mean that you are not sure that Columbia has the faculty working on those methods area?

Interesting to hear that. Since I am more thinking about IR/IPE as the subfield, I don't find Berkeley/Yale more attractive than some others. May I know why you think so?

Guys, I have done visits to a few programs, but I am still a bit uncertain what would be the best fit for me. I'm interested in IPE & Comparative and would love to have a rigorous training in multi-methods (quant, formal, experiments, and field work). I look for a place where I can be best inspired, challenged, and pushed to a higher level. Mentorship means a great deal, as I came from a small liberal arts background. I'm admitted to Columbia, Yale, Berkeley, UCSD, Duke and a few others. These schools all offer decent financial packages, so money is not a factor here. Location doesn't matter too much to me either. The deadline is April 15th, so I look forward to hearing any last-minute advice/thoughts. Really appreciate it.

That might be true that RAship may only offer limited hours that may not provide the full support, though I am not the best person to speak on this since I didn't do it. Why also not considering going to find a manageable job (like teaching English in China) after the MA while wrapping up the PhD application. It could work. PhD committee not necessarily will be more impressed by quant classes from Economics (departmental solidarity, I guess). I think take 2 methods courses per quarter within the political science would be certainly enough. And do it well so you can get good letters. Unfortunately I cannot speak fully on the "worth/value" of the program giving your situation, as I was not in your shoes. It is at least a bet with possible great turnoff.

See you at Berkeley soon and perhaps other schools on the East Coast!

Could you tell a little more about your profile (undergrad, scores, etc)? I think you already have two strong options in hand, but there is a possibility of attending CIR and learning and drastically improving your competitiveness so you can reapply the year after (not next year, but the year after the next, when you finish the whole CIR training and MA thesis). My CIR friends this year who were admitted to Princeton/Columbia/Duke and other top-10 programs for C/IPE.

A few do work as RA after the MAPSS while applying for PhDs. And I know from my cohort the ones who have been doing RA work all have great Ph.D. offers now.

As a recent MAPSS student and Ph.D. applicant (accepted at a few places, like Berkeley/Columbia/Yale etc, so it's been working for me), here are my two cents: 1) take as many methods courses as you can, and take them beyond what's offered by MAPSS preceptors (UChicago graduate students): try to take formal model/quantitative research course/game theory classes offered by the political science departments. Those are the ones that UChicago Ph.D. students will also be taking. More rigor and more respected by Ph.D. committee. 2) MAPSS is a big program every year and includes many different fields. So, it is less likely to know many peer students. Probably some from your similar subfield (by going to same classes), but don't put expectations too high. 3) good luck with finding a great adviser. The MA thesis research and the whole advising/mentorship experience, for me, is the most valuable part of my 9 months at MAPSS. My adviser is Bobby and I am doing IPE on trade. He is amazing (amazing and amazing) and without his weekly guidance, I would not finish the thesis early by May and get it presented/accepted at NPSA/MPSA/ISA and other conferences before/during the time I applied for Ph.D. programs. But the individual faculty's attention to MA students really varies (also depending on how they feel about the value of your work), so try your best=)

I came from MAPSS before applying to PhDs, and the experience really helps in this application season. Good luck for MAPSS=)

I am the process of discussing the scheduling conflicts between Columbia and Duke. I find it very helpful that Columbia is happy to arrange my meetings with faculty/students a few days earlier than the official open day. Hope it helps=)

Hey, same here, from China. I have planned to visit a few PhD admitted programs (mainly Berkeley/SD at the west coast and Columbia/Duke on the east coast). I have found gratefully that schools are able to mostly fund my trips. I was waitlisted by Yale (IR/IPE), so big big congratulations for your admit!

Help needed: I was just waitlisted by Yale, and my adviser encouraged me to reach out to the Department. May I ask anyone who was accepted that who sent you the acceptance information? Btw, I am beginning to turn down some offers (like UCLA, etc) in the hope of leaving spaces for the waitlist. Good luck to all of us!

Compared to IPE/CPE, I believe Michigan has more/better faculty in IR/Security and political psychology for sure, so it may not be my top choices.

Also claim an acceptance from Columbia. IR/IPE. So far, accepted by Berkeley, Michigan, Columbia, UCSD, and Duke, rejected by Princeton and Stanford (I thought I had a shot), and pending from Harvard and Yale. Finally, everything will be ended soon. Good luck to everyone hopeful!

That's very helpful! Thanks for letting me know. Would be more interested in what eventually Berkeley could offer.